Naruto: Pay-to-Win Ninja System

I came as silently as I arrived; 

I wave my sleeves, taking no cloud with me. 

Hmm… though I did manage to take three million worth of 'local specialties' from [Kiri]. 

That's right. 

After a rather 'heated' negotiation, 

[Kiri] ultimately gave in completely, 

and had no choice but to accept both of Shimoku's conditions. 

They officially decided to form an alliance with the [Homura Hidden Village], 

and obediently paid the ransom, redeeming the lives of those 65 Kiri ninja. 

Of course, since [Kiri] simply couldn't come up with much more money, 

Shimoku allowed them to pay thirty million ryō first, with the remaining seventy million to be paid off over four years. 

And why four years? 

Because Shimoku feared that the entire [Kiri] wouldn't survive past the final year of his own 'five-year plan'… 

Thus, 

carrying thirty million ryō worth of Kiri 'local specialties,' along with countless beautiful sea pearls and precious jewels, 

Shimoku and the others returned once again with full loads. 

... 

Some people always think the Five Great Hidden Villages are too poor. 

But actually, that's not the case. 

Truth is, these five great ninja villages are basically nothing more than five towns each with a population of over ten thousand. 

Moreover, they're old-fashioned settlements still struggling to achieve full industrialization. 

Assume the village collects about one billion ryō in total taxes per year. 

If calculated based on average payment for a mid-level C-rank mission—30,000 ryō— 

To reach an income of one billion ryō, at least 34,000 missions would need to be completed! (especially considering most ninja can barely scrape by doing D-rank missions) 

And having tax collection ability equal to one-fifth of mission payments already counts as extremely high. 

Meaning, purely from mission earnings alone, 

the number of missions needed must at least multiply by five, which equals completing 170,000 C-rank missions every year. 

Even if a Hidden Village has a thousand ninja squads, working nonstop day and night—and ignoring all mission failures and casualties—each squad would still have to complete an average of 170 missions annually. 

In other words, nearly one mission every two days. 

Is that even possible? 

Does that sound reasonable? 

Therefore, even the most prosperous [Hidden Leaf Village], 

earning a profit of one billion ryō annually, already represents a massive sum. 

This figure was still only barely achievable thanks to land deeds, commerce, and aid from major countries. 

Yet with a one-billion ryō revenue, the village also had to fund the Hokage and its entire civil service, 

take care of village development, 

provide survivor benefits for fallen ninjas, 

support the ninja academy, orphanages, and various other institutions… 

Hence, after deducting all these major expenses, 

a reserve of merely one or two hundred million ryō as emergency cash is already considered quite impressive. 

As for higher-tier A-rank or S-rank missions, 

although the rewards are enormous, the danger is equally extreme. 

Looking across an entire Hidden Village, 

how many such dangerous missions could there possibly be in one year? 

Even if there were, how many ninjas would successfully complete them alive? 

It's like being offered ten billion dollars in the real world to assassinate a powerful nation's president—can you do it? 

Precisely because Shimoku was deeply aware that [Kiri] had already gone bankrupt beyond imagination, 

and truly lacked the capacity to pay any more ransom upfront.

That's why Shimoku "kindly" agreed to the installment payments.

After all, the hot springs and services here were indeed considerate.

Now and then, Shimoku wouldn't mind swinging by again to enjoy that future Fifth Mizukage's "masterful touch."

Had he completely destroyed Kirigakure, he wouldn't be able to visit here often anymore...

...

Currently, inside the meeting room of the Mizukage's building in Kirigakure.

"Has he left already?"

Genji rasped.

"He has gone. We watched them leave the village," reported an Anbu ninja.

"Hmph—"

Upon hearing this, all the Kiri higher-ups present couldn't help but exhale deeply, finally feeling relieved.

No matter how young that Uchiha brat was,

his terrifying power alone could crush the entire [Hidden Mist] village.

Now though,

despite having paid a hefty price,

they had finally managed to send off this 'big god.'

Their village could finally catch its breath!

"What about the Three-Tails Isobu?"

"He took it with him!"

"What?! That's our village's tailed beast! How could we let him just take it?!"

"Why don't you go stop him then?!"

"I... I..."

"With such power combined with a tailed beast,

this Uchiha brat and the [Homura Hidden Village] will surely become our great enemies in the future!"

Fuguki Suikazan said grimly, warning everyone.

A man who'd long been buried in the shadows, handling all the village's grimy, thankless work,

his views toward things naturally appeared sharper and darker.

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Everyone knew how much potential the Homura Hidden Village had.

But the problem was that their Kirigakure really didn't have a choice right now!

If there had been one, would they have compromised like this?

"What's there to fear? Though that kid is powerful, he's still only one person.

Plus, the entire [Homura Hidden Village] consists of Uchiha traitors, at odds with [Konoha].

And with [Konoha] keeping the pressure on from the front,

the ones who should be losing sleep should be them [the Homura Hidden Village]!"

A Kiri clan head sneered contemptuously, making a reasonable and logical analysis.

This reflected exactly what everyone else was thinking.

From the village's standpoint, there are no eternal friendships or alliances — only Realpolitik.

Should [Konoha] and [Homura Hidden Village] ever fight each other to mutual ruin,

[Kirigakure] will not hesitate to backstab them both.

Such is the reality of the Ninja World!

...

"Thud-thud-thud——"

Suddenly, Genji stamped his cane forcefully, narrowed his eyes, and sternly warned,

"There's no need to discuss this further!"

"Our village has just brought an end to the reign of tyranny by The Fourth Mizukage, ending his despotic rule. This is good news.

For now, and for a long time to come, the [Homura Hidden Village] will remain our reliable ally. No more statements undermining this alliance shall be tolerated!

I hope you all remember this!"

Obviously, Elder Genji, being as old and experienced as he was, saw further than the rest.

"Understood!"

They nodded their heads, agreeing one after another.

"Lord Genji, regarding the selection of the new Mizukage?

"This matter can be postponed for now. Our top priority should be the restoration of the village."

"As for selecting a new Mizukage, we can discuss that later."

Genji made the final decision.

In fact, he understood better than anyone else.

The enemy who had controlled The Fourth and lurked in the shadows still hadn't revealed himself.

Wouldn't hastily choosing a new Mizukage just give that enemy another opportunity?

Wouldn't that just allow him to control the new Mizukage once again and repeat the whole tragic spectacle?

It would be better not to appoint a Mizukage for now and decentralize the power within the village.

Rebuilding the village should come first.

Otherwise, as an elder of Mist with power rivaling the Mizukage, he could have easily seized full authority and ruled the entire village already.

...

When Genji spoke, everyone readily shifted away from this topic.

After all, right now, there truly wasn't anyone with enough strength and prestige to fill the role of the new Mizukage.

Then, Genji slowly spoke again:

"This time, Zabuza's performance was excellent."

"He successfully lured the wolf... no... I should say he attracted reinforcements, breaking through the darkness shrouding our entire village."

"I suggest we immediately revoke his bounty and restore his status as a ninja of Mist."

"What do you all think?"

"I second the motion!"

"I support it!"

"I also support it!"

One by one, voices rose in agreement to restore Zabuza's status as a Mist ninja.

After all, at this moment, every elite Jonin was extremely precious to the village.

Not to mention, officially speaking,

Zabuza was still hailed as the hero who had "stood against corruption and toppled the tyranny of The Fourth Yagura!"

How could they possibly let such a hero feel betrayed?

Even less could they allow other villages to use this as an excuse to interfere with Mist?

"Thank you."

Zabuza said flatly.

He didn't feel the slightest gratitude toward most of the Mist leadership present.

After all, Mist had become what it was today,

Partially because of their previous compromises and retreats.

His return to Mist wasn't due to these people suddenly having a change of heart or conscience.

The real reason was simply because they feared the power of that brat Shimoku... and frankly, rightly so.

Indeed, strength — that brat Shimoku's strength — is the only standard by which everything should be judged!

He had nearly fulfilled his lifelong ambition thanks to a mere ten-year-old brat.

It was truly both admirable and shameful.

"You little pest," Zabuza muttered under his breath. "Next time we meet, I'll show you what real strength looks like!"

...

"There's one more thing."

"For convenience, I propose we send two people to reside in the Homura Hidden Village and maintain communication for intelligence gathering."

Genji took the initiative to propose.

This suggestion was quickly and unanimously agreed upon.

After all, in the eyes of Mist,

That child Shimoku's threat level had long surpassed even the Tailed Beasts.

Although the alliance had been formed between both sides,

They couldn't sleep peacefully without sending someone to monitor the other party's movements.

"But who should go?"

"Won't choosing the wrong person just provoke their dissatisfaction?"

Everyone hesitated,

Carefully considering who would be the most suitable candidate for this mission.

Genji let his gaze sweep across the surroundings.

Eventually, his gaze settled on Zabuza and Terumi Mei.

These two:

One possessed unshakable willpower and unwavering loyalty to the village, and had long maintained close cooperation with Shimoku Uchiha.

The other was strikingly beautiful, with skills well beyond the ordinary. Moreover, she had a passionate one-night encounter with Shimoku, and knew him intimately.

Both made for excellent choices.

Truly difficult to decide!

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